Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 23:32-34
32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
Commentary:
23:32 Two others … criminals fulfills the prophecy of Isa. 53:12 (cf. Luke 22:37) that Jesus in his death would be “numbered with the transgressors.”
23:33 The Skull. (Gk. Kranion). In Matthew it is also called Golgotha (in Latin, Calvariae), a transliteration of the Aramaic word for “skull.” they crucified him. All the Gospels have a similar, brief statement. In Matt. 27:38 and Mark 15:27 the criminals are called “robbers”.
23:34 They cast lots to divide his garments is a clear reference to Ps. 22:18. Casting lots was sometimes used in the OT to discover God’s will, but here it is a form of gambling by the Roman guards. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Jesus fulfills his own teaching about loving one’s enemies (see Luke 6:35) and highlights the fact that his death was providing the very basis upon which those who crucified him could be forgiven (see Isa. 53:12). Jesus thus provides an example for all believers who would follow him (see Acts 7:60; 1 Pet. 2:21–24). “They know not what they do” does not absolve either the Jews or the Romans of their responsibility in Jesus’ death, but it shows that they did not fully understand the horrible evil that they were doing in crucifying the “Holy and Righteous One” (Acts 3:14) who was both the true Messiah and the Son of God.
23:33 The Skull. (Gk. Kranion). In Matthew it is also called Golgotha (in Latin, Calvariae), a transliteration of the Aramaic word for “skull.” they crucified him. All the Gospels have a similar, brief statement. In Matt. 27:38 and Mark 15:27 the criminals are called “robbers”.
23:34 They cast lots to divide his garments is a clear reference to Ps. 22:18. Casting lots was sometimes used in the OT to discover God’s will, but here it is a form of gambling by the Roman guards. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. Jesus fulfills his own teaching about loving one’s enemies (see Luke 6:35) and highlights the fact that his death was providing the very basis upon which those who crucified him could be forgiven (see Isa. 53:12). Jesus thus provides an example for all believers who would follow him (see Acts 7:60; 1 Pet. 2:21–24). “They know not what they do” does not absolve either the Jews or the Romans of their responsibility in Jesus’ death, but it shows that they did not fully understand the horrible evil that they were doing in crucifying the “Holy and Righteous One” (Acts 3:14) who was both the true Messiah and the Son of God.
Questions:
- Can you imagine watching your child, or someone that you love, enduring the things that Jesus did? Think about have to sit back and watch an innocent child getting berated, mocked, punched, spat on, humiliated, whipped, beaten, and ultimately murdered. This is the position God was in as evil people had their way with the Holy One. What does it say about the grace of God that He didn't incinerate for all eternity the earth and everyone one in it at that very moment? What can we learn from His gracious and patient example?
- Despite the incredible injustice being inflicted upon Jesus, how did He respond? "Forgive them!" Many scholars think this is Jesus pleading with His Father to not do the very thing mentioned in the previous question... wipe them all out. Our typical response, being the sinful people we are, is to respond in prideful ways when we are mistreated. We get offended or sulk or pout or lash out or try to get revenge. But Jesus sets the example and goes WAY above and beyond, all the way to forgiveness. Think of someone that has wronged or mistreated you. How did you respond? How might you attempt to respond more like Jesus?
Pray:
Type your new text here.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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